A Treasure Trove of Writing Tips

That’s what this book is. It’s already available in paperback, but let’s skip ahead to Kindle. It will be out on May 1.  You can preorder it right now—for just $2.99.

 E J Randolph, fellow writer, invited me and 10 other writers to collaborate on this very helpful book for writers.

From the Amazon blurb:

Writing advice that gets you started and keeps you going.

Wouldn’t you love to have authors reveal the secrets of their successes to you? You get that in this collection of essays, many by award-winning authors, and all of them fine practitioners of the craft. Their insights provide you with tools, tips, and encouragement for your own writing.

The book covers fiction and nonfiction. It includes samples of writing techniques used across various genres and for all sorts of readers.

Here’s a small sample from three sections:

From Kris Neri,

Why Write a Series:

On a purely practical level, writing a series just makes sense. If a reader bonds with characters, she can’t wait to get back together with them. Think about TV shows. Don’t we love following along with the same characters and their challenges week after week?

A series creates instant repeat sales when your second and subsequent books are published. Word of mouth builds with each new publication. . . .

Readers aren’t the only ones who enjoy coming back to favorite characters. It’s also a boon for writers. As the writer of a series, you have the opportunity to develop your characters to a greater degree with each novel you write than you do with just a lone novel.

From E J Randolph,

Deep Point of View is a portmanteau term for techniques that connect the reader to your protagonist. This term itself is rather recent and encompasses several methods and perspectives that are increasingly employed by story writers. You use these writing techniques when you want your readers to immerse themselves in the fictive experience to the degree they feel they are the main characters. Research shows that readers’ brains process movement in fiction as if they were moving, so your readers are primed to feel what your characters are feeling and doing. All you need to do is capitalize upon this reality.

From myself on writing a memoir,

Tell the truth as best you know it. It’s your story — write it from your perspective. Inevitably, your life intertwines with others — family, friends, coworkers or bosses. You may recall conversations that depict issues you want to describe. Words spoken by others that reveal an impact on you. Events that make up a scene.

Can you recall the exact words spoken by you or another some decades ago? Maybe not. You do have a memory of their manner of speaking, their personality, etc. don’t you? It’s OK to fill in some dialogue and event details that you couldn’t possibly remember. But you must be authentic in how/what others (and you) would say in situations—that’s the truth required of you.